Lancaster Women Sentenced in Tax Fraud Scheme

Contact Person: DeWayne Pearson (803) 929-3000

Lancaster, South Carolina ----United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated thatAisha J. Craig, age 35, and Ebony N. Eddie, age 34, both of Lancaster, were sentenced in Federal Court for their involvement in a scheme to submit fraudulent tax returns to the Internal Revenue Service. According to facts presented in court, Craig and Eddie used stolen identities to receive over $100,000 in fraudulent tax returns. Both women entered guilty pleas to charges of presenting false claims to the United States in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 286, and aggravated identity theft, a violation of Title 18 United States Code, Section 1028A. Craig was sentenced to 48 months and Eddie was sentenced to 54 months imprisonment for their roles in the scheme. 

“Investigating refund fraud and identity theft is a top priority of IRS Criminal Investigation”, said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Holloman III.  “Stealing identities and filing false tax returns is a serious crime that hurts innocent taxpayers.  Today’s sentencing’s should serve as a strong warning to those considering similar conduct.  Law enforcement and the US Attorney’s Office will vigorously pursue these crimes and will hold those accountable who would defraud the government.” The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney T. DeWayne Pearson of the Columbia office for prosecution.